Pls recommend a tupe pre under 2500 for my system.

There is a Thor TPA 1000 Linestage ( upgraded to mk2 ) on Audiogon right now..For the asking price ( $2600 ) its a steal...

Instead of specific models, here are some companies that produce excellent sounding, and extremely well made tube (pre)amplifiers. Find a used one made by them within your price range and really cannot go wrong.

Art Audio - dm-vps
BAT - VK-31
Cary - SLP 98L
EAR - 834L
Modwright - swl9.0se

These are all very, very, good tube preamps still in production and made by great companies with excellent customer support. All a larger, well established, manufacturers.

The Thor mentioned above is guaranteed to a be great unit, but the creator just shut the company down unannounced 2 years ago and walked away hanging everyone, from dealers to customers, out to dry. It was bought by the two guys that own HighEndAudio.com and they have reintroduced the brand and (I suppose) service legacy products. You can read about it here - The Return of Thor Audio: An Interview with Ted Lindblad of High End Audio

The Modwright SWL 9.0SE has HT bypass and is a very good preamplifier.

There is a very clean BAT VK-31 for sale now.

My gear is all Audio Research Corporation (ARC) and I am extremely satisfied with the sound quality, build quality and cutosmer support. As I have mentioned in other threads, I try to shy away from making specific recommensdations. However, I mention ARC only as an addition to Darkmoebius' list of recommended companies.

I would also like to add that when investigating tube pre possibilities, it may be helpful to know what will get plugged to and out of the pre. I am specifically referring to electronic gear compatibility issues. You can research the issue yourself by checking spec sheets of the plug ins/outs and the pre you're interested in.

Alternatively, you may be able to obtain some good advice from a friendly and knowledgeable hi-end audio retailer. The dealer may even let you take home some equipment and try it out. That would be a real good thing to do. I've read quite a few posts from A'gon members mentioning the same.

Another idea to consider is calling the pre manufacturer customer service department. I can't speak to the customer service folks at the other fine companies mentioned above, but I am pretty sure that Calvin or Chris at ARC would be happy to help you work through some of the compatability questions relating to your gear.

Good luck.